Learning to See the World (H1)
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EN: The verb 'love' can be followed by a gerund (verb-ing) to express a general preference or enjoyment of an activity. In this sentence, 'learning' acts as the direct object of 'love'.
I love traveling to new places.
EN: The phrasal verb 'learn about' means to gain knowledge or information about a particular subject or topic.
We want to learn about space exploration.
EN: The verb 'decide' is followed by an infinitive (to + verb) to express a choice or plan made about a future action.
They decided to buy a new house.
EN: The preposition 'to' is used after verbs of motion (like 'travel') to indicate the destination or direction of movement.
She wants to travel to Japan next year.
EN: The verb 'enjoy' is always followed by a gerund (verb-ing) when expressing an action that one likes doing. It cannot be followed by an infinitive (to + verb).
I enjoy cooking for my family.
EN: The preposition 'about' is used to indicate the subject matter or topic of the reading, speaking, or thinking activity.
She is writing a book about her travels.
EN: The phrase 'faraway places' often evokes a sense of wanderlust and curiosity about the world, which is a common theme in travel literature and conversations among language learners.
EN: The verb 'hope' is followed by an infinitive (to + verb) to express a desire for a future event. It cannot be followed directly by a gerund (verb-ing).
He hopes to buy a new car soon.
EN: 'Abroad' is an adverb meaning 'in or to a foreign country'. Because it is an adverb, it does not require a preposition like 'to' or 'in' before it (e.g., we say 'study abroad', not 'study to abroad').
They plan to travel abroad this summer.
EN: The verb 'avoid' is always followed by a gerund (verb-ing) when expressing the action that one is trying to prevent or escape. It cannot be followed by an infinitive (to + verb).
You should avoid eating late at night.
EN: The word 'what' can act as a nominal relative pronoun (free relative pronoun), meaning 'the thing(s) that'. It introduces a noun clause that functions as the object of the verb 'judging'.
I don't understand what you are saying.
EN: This sentence reflects a universal value of cultural empathy and open-mindedness, which is highly valued in multicultural societies. It encourages individuals to listen and learn before making assumptions about unfamiliar customs or lifestyles.
EN: The verb 'want' is followed by an infinitive (to + verb) to express a desire or intention. In this sentence, 'to understand' acts as the direct object of 'want'.
I want to learn a new language.
EN: An indirect question (or noun clause) is used as the object of the verb 'understand'. It begins with a question word ('how') but follows statement word order (subject + verb: 'others live') rather than question word order.
Do you know where they live?
EN: This sentence reflects a common cultural value in English-speaking societies: empathy and curiosity about diverse lifestyles. It emphasizes open-mindedness and the desire to connect with people from different backgrounds.
EN: The verb 'keep' (past tense 'kept') is followed by a gerund (V-ing) to express that an action continues or is repeated continuously.
She kept working despite being tired.
EN: The phrase 'ask questions about' is a common collocation used to inquire about a specific topic or place.
The students asked questions about the upcoming exam.
EN: The dummy subject 'It' is used to replace a longer infinitive phrase (to try new and strange foods) at the end of the sentence to keep the sentence balanced and natural.
It is important to learn a foreign language.
EN: The infinitive 'to try' acts as the real subject of the sentence, expressing a general action or concept.
To travel around the world is my dream.
EN: In Western culinary culture, trying 'strange' or unfamiliar foods is often associated with adventure and open-mindedness, especially when traveling. The word 'strange' here doesn't necessarily mean bad, but rather exotic or different from what one is used to.
EN: The verb 'plan' is followed by an infinitive (to + verb) to express future intentions or arrangements. This is a common pattern for verbs that look forward to the future.
We plan to buy a new car next year.
EN: Noun adjuncts (or noun premodifiers) occur when a noun functions as an adjective to describe another noun. In 'mountain village', 'mountain' describes the type of village.
She lives in a lake house.
EN: The verb 'start' can be followed by a gerund (verb-ing) to indicate the beginning of an action. This structure focuses on the activity as a whole.
They started playing tennis after school.
EN: The determiner 'a few' is used with plural countable nouns (like 'words') to mean 'a small number of' or 'some'. It has a positive connotation, implying there are at least some.
I bought a few books from the store.
EN: In English-speaking culture, attempting to learn a few words of the local language when traveling (such as 'hello', 'thank you', or 'please') is highly appreciated and seen as a sign of respect and openness toward the host country's culture.
EN: Gerund as Subject: A gerund (verb-ing) can function as a noun and serve as the subject of a sentence. When a gerund phrase acts as the subject, it is treated as a singular noun, so the main verb must take a singular form (e.g., 'opens').
Reading books expands our knowledge.
EN: Idiomatic Expression 'open one's mind': This phrase means to become more willing to accept new ideas, perspectives, or experiences. It is often used when talking about travel, education, or meeting diverse people.
Traveling to different countries opens your mind.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, 'keeping an open mind' and 'opening one's mind' are highly valued traits. It reflects a cultural emphasis on individualism, curiosity, and tolerance toward different lifestyles, cultures, and ideas.
EN: Using to-infinitives (to + base verb) as both the subject and the subject complement in a sentence creates a balanced, parallel structure. This is often used in formal writing or proverbs to express a philosophical definition or equivalence (e.g., 'To A is to B').
To forgive is to set yourself free.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'in many ways' functions as an adverbial modifier, meaning 'in various aspects' or 'from multiple perspectives'. It is commonly used to qualify a statement by showing its broad applicability.
This project is helpful in many ways.
EN: Gerund as Subject: A gerund (verb + -ing) can function as a noun and serve as the subject of a sentence. It takes a singular verb.
Reading books expands our knowledge.
EN: The verb 'teach' followed by an object and an infinitive (teach + object + to-infinitive) is used to show what knowledge or skill is being passed to someone.
My father taught me to swim.
EN: The phrase 'with open eyes' (or 'with an open mind') is a common English idiom emphasizing receptivity, lack of prejudice, and a willingness to learn from new experiences, which is a core value in modern global travel culture.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here with the adverb 'always' to describe an action or feeling that started in the past and continues to the present moment.
She has always wanted to visit Japan.
EN: The verb 'love' can be followed by a gerund (verb-ing) to express a general preference or enjoyment of an activity.
They love taking photos of nature.
EN: The phrase 'ways of life' is a common, respectful way in English to refer to the customs, traditions, and daily habits of different cultural groups, emphasizing diversity and open-mindedness.
EN: The verb 'decide' is followed by an infinitive (to + verb) to express an intention or a choice made. It cannot be followed by a gerund (-ing form).
They decided to buy a new car.
EN: Noun adjuncts (or noun premodifiers) like 'seaside' function as adjectives to describe another noun ('town'). In this case, 'seaside' specifies the type of 'town'.
EN: The adjective phrase 'be afraid of' is followed by a gerund (V-ing) or a noun to express fear or anxiety about doing something.
She is afraid of flying, so she prefers to take the train.
EN: The noun 'foods' is modified by an adjective clause (relative clause) 'I did not know' with the relative pronoun 'that' or 'which' omitted as it functions as the object of the verb 'know'.
This is the book I bought yesterday.
EN: In many English-speaking cultures, trying local cuisine is considered an essential part of travel and cultural immersion. While being hesitant about unfamiliar food is a universal feeling, sharing this vulnerability ('I was afraid of...') is common in personal travel anecdotes to show personal growth.
EN: Gerund as Subject: A gerund (verb + -ing) can function as a noun and act as the subject of a sentence. In this sentence, 'tasting new dishes' is a gerund phrase serving as the subject.
Learning a new language opens up many opportunities.
EN: Linking Verb and Subject Complement: The verb 'became' (past tense of 'become') is a linking verb that connects the subject with a noun phrase ('my favorite part of the trip') which describes or renames the subject. This noun phrase is called the subject complement.
She became a successful doctor after years of study.
EN: Food is a universal gateway to understanding new cultures. In English-speaking travel culture, trying local cuisine ('tasting new dishes') is often highlighted as the ultimate way to connect with a place and its people, shifting from a source of anxiety to a source of joy.
EN: The verb 'enjoy' is always followed by a gerund (verb-ing) when expressing an action that one derives pleasure from. It cannot be followed by an infinitive (to + verb).
She enjoys reading books about history.
EN: An adjective clause (relative clause) can modify a noun. Here, 'I could not yet speak' is a relative clause modifying 'a language'. The relative pronoun 'which' or 'that' is omitted because it acts as the object of the verb 'speak'.
This is the movie I wanted to watch.
EN: In many English-speaking cultures, traveling to countries where you do not speak the language is seen as an exciting adventure and a way to step out of one's comfort zone, rather than just a barrier. Embracing the 'sound' of an unfamiliar language reflects an open-minded attitude toward cultural immersion.
EN: The verb 'keep' followed by a gerund (V-ing) is used to express that an action continues or is repeated. In the past tense, 'kept' is used to show that the continuous action happened in the past.
She kept working on the project until midnight.
EN: Parallel structure with coordinate conjunctions (like 'and') requires that the verbs connected share the same grammatical form. Here, 'smiling' and 'offering' are both gerunds following the main verb 'kept'.
He enjoys playing basketball and swimming in the pool.
EN: In many cultures, smiling and offering assistance to travelers is a universal sign of hospitality. This sentence highlights how non-verbal communication, like a smile, can bridge language barriers and make strangers feel welcome.
EN: Infinitive of Purpose: The sentence starts with 'To understand...', which is an infinitive phrase (to + verb) used to express the purpose or goal of an action. It answers the question 'Why?'.
To pass the exam, she studied every night.
EN: Gerund after 'Avoid': The verb 'avoid' must be followed by a gerund (verb-ing) rather than an infinitive. In this sentence, 'rushing' is the gerund acting as the direct object of 'avoid'.
We should avoid traveling during the rush hour.
EN: This sentence reflects the philosophy of 'Slow Travel', a growing cultural trend that encourages travelers to connect more deeply with local history, culture, and people, rather than just checking off famous tourist sights quickly.
EN: The verb 'choose' is followed by a to-infinitive (to + base verb) to indicate a decision or choice. In this sentence, 'chose to slow down' shows the past decision to reduce speed or relax.
They chose to stay at a local guesthouse.
EN: The sensory verb 'watch' can be followed by an object and a bare infinitive (verb without 'to') to describe witnessing an entire action or process from start to finish. Here, 'watch daily life unfold' means observing the process of life happening.
We sat on the porch and watched the sun rise.
EN: The concept of 'slowing down' to watch life unfold reflects the philosophy of 'Slow Travel.' Unlike traditional tourism that focuses on checking off famous landmarks, slow travel emphasizes connecting deeply with local people, culture, and the rhythm of daily life.
EN: Gerund as Subject: A gerund (verb + -ing) can function as a noun and serve as the subject of a sentence. It is treated as a singular noun.
Traveling to new places broadens our horizons.
EN: Noun Clause as Direct Object: The conjunction 'that' introduces a noun clause ('that kindness needs no words') which functions as the direct object of the verb 'taught'.
She showed us that hard work leads to success.
EN: This sentence reflects a universal travel philosophy: human connection and empathy transcend language barriers. In many cultures, a smile, a helpful gesture, or shared food can communicate deep warmth and goodwill without needing a single spoken word.
EN: The verb 'hope' is followed by an infinitive (to + verb) to express a desire or plan for the future. In this sentence, 'hope to keep' indicates a future wish.
I hope to visit Japan next year.
EN: The verb 'keep' is followed by a gerund (verb-ing) to express the continuation of an action. 'Keep exploring' means to continue the activity of exploring without stopping.
She kept talking even after the bell rang.
EN: The phrase 'for the rest of my life' is a common, slightly poetic way in English to express lifelong commitment or desire. It is often used in romantic contexts, but here it beautifully expresses a lifelong passion for travel and learning.
EN: Using 'to + verb' (infinitive) as a subject and a subject complement. In this structure, 'to travel' acts as the noun-like subject, and 'to learn...' acts as the subject complement, equating the two actions.
To live is to serve others.
EN: Noun clauses introduced by question words (wh-clauses). Here, 'who we truly are' functions as the object of the infinitive 'to learn'. The word order must be subject + verb (we + are), not verb + subject.
I want to know what you are thinking.
EN: The phrase 'to travel is to learn who we truly are' reflects a common Western philosophical view of travel as a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, rather than just sightseeing.
EN: The verb 'want' is followed by an infinitive (to + verb) when expressing a desire to perform an action. In this sentence, 'to travel' acts as the infinitive object of the verb 'want'.
I want to learn a new language.
EN: Information questions (wh-questions) in the simple present tense are formed using the question word (Where) + auxiliary verb (do) + subject (you) + main verb (want).
Where do you live?
EN: In English-speaking cultures, addressing someone directly by their first name (like 'Emma') at the end of a question is a common way to show friendliness, establish a personal connection, and direct the conversation specifically to them.
EN: The verb 'want' is followed by an infinitive (to + verb) to express a desire or intention. 'To visit' acts as the direct object of the verb 'want'.
She wants to learn Japanese.
EN: Noun adjuncts (or noun premodifiers) occur when a noun acts as an adjective to modify another noun. Here, 'mountain' (noun) modifies 'village' (noun) to describe the type of village.
EN: The verb 'enjoy' is always followed by a gerund (verb-ing) when expressing an action that someone likes doing. It cannot be followed by an infinitive (to + verb).
She enjoys playing the piano in her free time.
EN: The quantifier 'a few' means 'some' or 'a small number of' and is used with plural countable nouns (e.g., words). It has a positive connotation, unlike 'few' which means 'almost none'.
I have a few friends who live in Japan.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, showing an interest in learning even just a few basic words (like 'hello' or 'thank you') of the local language when traveling is highly appreciated and seen as a sign of respect and friendliness.
EN: The verb 'decide' is followed by an infinitive (to + verb) to express a choice or plan made about a future action.
They decided to buy a new car.
EN: The verb 'try' can mean 'to taste' or 'to test' something to see if you like it or if it works.
You should try this chocolate cake.
EN: Trying local food first is a common travel philosophy. It reflects an open-minded approach to experiencing a new culture through its culinary traditions.
EN: The verb 'hope' is followed by an infinitive (to + verb) to express a desire or plan for the future. In this sentence, 'to understand' acts as the direct object of 'hope'.
She hopes to study abroad next year.
EN: An indirect question (or noun clause) introduced by 'how' functions as the object of the verb 'understand'. Unlike direct questions, indirect questions use statement word order (subject + verb): 'how others live' instead of 'how do others live'.
I want to know how they make this traditional bread.
EN: This sentence reflects a core value of modern cultural exchange and global citizenship: empathy and the desire to understand different lifestyles without judgment. It is a polite and thoughtful way to express your motivation for traveling or studying anthropology.
EN: The verb 'avoid' is a transitive verb that must be followed by a gerund (V-ing) rather than an infinitive (to V) when expressing the action that is being shied away from.
You should avoid eating heavy meals late at night.
EN: An imperative sentence starts with the base form of a verb (here, 'Avoid') and is used to give commands, advice, or instructions. The subject 'you' is understood and omitted.
Keep left when walking on the stairs.
EN: This sentence reflects a core value of cultural empathy and open-mindedness in travel. It encourages travelers to suspend bias and avoid stereotyping a destination or its people before experiencing them firsthand.
EN: Gerund as Subject: A gerund (verb + -ing) can function as a noun and serve as the subject of a sentence. It is treated as a singular noun, so the verb that follows must agree with it in the singular form (e.g., 'opens').
Learning new languages broadens our horizons.
EN: Idiomatic Expression 'open someone's mind': This phrase means to make someone more willing to accept new ideas, perspectives, or experiences.
Travel opens your mind to different ways of life.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, 'opening one's mind' is highly valued as it relates to personal growth, tolerance, and global citizenship. Travel and meeting diverse people are commonly seen as the best ways to achieve this.
EN: The verb 'love' can be followed by a gerund (verb-ing) to express a general preference or enjoyment of an activity. In this sentence, 'listening' acts as the direct object of 'love'.
She loves taking photos of nature.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'from far away' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'stories', indicating the origin or source of the stories.
He received a letter from far away.
EN: The phrase 'far away' evokes a sense of wonder and curiosity about foreign lands, which is a common theme in travel literature and discussions about cultural exchange.
EN: The infinitive ('to' + verb) can be used as a noun phrase to represent an abstract concept or action. In this sentence, 'To travel' acts as the subject, and 'to grow' and 'to learn' act as subject complements after the linking verb 'is'. This structure creates a balanced, parallel, and poetic tone.
To forgive is to set a prisoner free.
EN: Parallel structure (parallelism) involves using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. Here, the two infinitive phrases 'to grow' and 'to learn' are joined by the coordinating conjunction 'and' to maintain grammatical balance.
He likes to swim and to run in his free time.
EN: This sentence reflects a common Western philosophical view of travel as a form of personal development and self-discovery, rather than just sightseeing. It emphasizes experiential learning and open-mindedness.
EN: The verb 'keep' is followed by a gerund (V-ing) to express the continuation of an action. It means to continue doing something without stopping.
Keep practicing, and you will improve your English.
EN: The structure 'Imperative sentence + and + simple present clause' is used to express a conditional result. It means 'If you do X, then Y will happen.'
Work hard, and you will succeed.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
To go to another country to study at an educational institution.
To become willing to consider new ideas, opinions, or experiences.
To decrease speed, or to live in a less hurried and more relaxed way.
With full awareness, curiosity, and a lack of prejudice.